I went to my pulmonologist yesterday for my regular 6 month checkup and he told me something I had not known for 5 freaking years. Something I really would have liked to have known. Seems the reason my right lung does not work correctly is not only damage to my diaphragm, but also because while I was drugged and unconscious all those weeks and they kept having to put in different chest tubes, I got an infection in my chest cavity. Between the infection and putting different tubes in and out I have scarring in my chest that does not allow my lung to fully inflate. Working at about 48%. Also my ribs still have not fully healed and may never.
Now I admit part of this is my fault. I was semi conscious at one point and after removing a feeding tube going thru my nose to my stomach, they decided to tie my hands down. Well next time I sort of woke up I knew I was restrained but not where I was. Being little ole me all I could think of was escape and evade. I managed to get my self untied and pull out ALL my tubes. Feeding tube, all my chest tubes, IV tubes and was busy reaping off all the sensors when the nurses came charging in and gave me a shot to knock me back out. Luckily I did not get around to the catheter or that might have really hurt. I thought my father was the only one to do that crap but I guess it runs in the family.
I always wondered why the nurses were so friendly. The doc told me they do not often get escapees from ICU.
Anyway I wish I had known about the scarring sooner. Not sure what difference it would make but I like to know what is happening to me. Okay rant over.
Now I admit part of this is my fault. I was semi conscious at one point and after removing a feeding tube going thru my nose to my stomach, they decided to tie my hands down. Well next time I sort of woke up I knew I was restrained but not where I was. Being little ole me all I could think of was escape and evade. I managed to get my self untied and pull out ALL my tubes. Feeding tube, all my chest tubes, IV tubes and was busy reaping off all the sensors when the nurses came charging in and gave me a shot to knock me back out. Luckily I did not get around to the catheter or that might have really hurt. I thought my father was the only one to do that crap but I guess it runs in the family.
I always wondered why the nurses were so friendly. The doc told me they do not often get escapees from ICU.
Anyway I wish I had known about the scarring sooner. Not sure what difference it would make but I like to know what is happening to me. Okay rant over.
